Over 100 community members crowded the sidewalk in front of the King Kamehameha statue in Hilo on Saturday to support Kimo Alameda and his candidacy for Hawaii County mayor.
Supporters of Alameda, known by many as Dr. Kimo, traveled from around the county to sign-wave to passersby and learn more about his plans and goals if he is elected mayor.
Alameda’s rally came after dozens of community meetings, conversations and listening sessions following his initial campaign announcement back in July.
“In listening and speaking with communities from Pahoa to Puako and from Kona to Kohala, one thing is absolutely clear: Our island is at a crossroads,” Alameda said earlier Saturday in a statement. “Without thoughtful and decisive leaders who understand the people of our county and the problems we face, we will continue to lose thousands of families every year because of the high cost-of-living, lack of quality job opportunities and ongoing crisis of unattainable housing.”
Born and raised in Hilo, Alameda graduated from St. Joseph’s High School before earning his Ph.D in counseling psychology from the University of Nebraska.
Alameda, 54, spent 15 years at the state Department of Health as a mental health specialist and later as an administrator. He also served as the executive of the county Office of Aging under Mayors Billy Kenoi and Harry Kim.
In 2019, Alameda became the CEO of Bay Clinic Health Center and helped manage its merger with the West Hawaii Community Health Center during the pandemic to form the new Hawaii Island Community Health Center, or HICHC.
HICHC is the largest nonprofit health care provider in the county, for which Alameda also worked as the vice president for business development.
Most recently, Alameda was head of the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force, which is when he ultimately decided to run for office.
“I think the point that made me decide to run for mayor was when I was doing training for combating fentanyl usage around the island,” Alameda said. “I found that there were a lot people who think I have the leadership skills, networks and relationships that would allow me to make a great representative.”
After talking with his family, colleagues and mentors, Alameda decided that incumbent Mayor Mitch Roth should not run unopposed.
“I realized the current administration was not moving fast enough on key initiatives that make a big difference in communities,” Alameda said. “I said yes to the opportunity, and all of the sudden, I saw so much support. It’s unbelievable.”
According to Alameda, Roth’s administration has been slow to address issues regarding public safety, mental health and affordable housing.
“I believe that everyone should feel safe enough to come out of their house. For example, a big current issue is that there aren’t enough (street) lights, and people are getting hit on the roads,” Alameda said. “We also have big issues with substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health, but most importantly, housing.”
Alameda has seen homelessness grow into a bigger dilemma in recent years, especially on Banyan Drive, in downtown Hilo, in Waimea and at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area.
“Homelessness is a big issue, and it doesn’t go away by relocating people to different districts,” Alameda said. “We need a place for people to go, and the administration has not found a place in four years.”
Roth on Thursday announced his campaign for reelection at an event in Hilo, where he reiterated that he has and will continue to work to make Hawaii “an island where our kids can raise their kids for generations to come.” He is in the final year of a four-year term as mayor.
Alameda has expressed a similar goal and has developed a three-part “Live-Work-Play” platform, which is designed to focus on the needs of local families so that future generations can continue to call Hawaii Island home.
“These are the same issues we’ve been talking about every election for the past eight years. We need to get back to the basics of providing for all our residents,” Alameda said. “Whether its building infrastructure, diversifying our economy beyond tourism, or creating more recreation opportunities for our keiki and kupuna, our county needs to keep the interests of the people we’re supposed to serve first.”
Alameda said his experience as a psychologist, administrator for government offices and a CEO for a major nonprofit has helped him prepare for the role as mayor, because his career trajectory has focused on solutions and problem-solving for all people.
“At the end of the day, that is what this election is about — the people. And that is where my experience lies,” Alameda said. “We need a mayor who can put forth his vision, who has the courage to defend it, and who has the ability to engage with everybody in our county, not just certain folks.”
With over 30 years of experience working in the community, Alameda believes he can bring more relationships to the table by building up networks through private and public partnerships and by bringing more energy to the position.
“I am impatient for results,” Alameda said. “The county has been waiting seven years for ‘Billy Kenoi energy,’ and I will bring that energy to the mayor’s office.”
Since deciding to run for mayor, Alameda has had consistent support from his wife, Star, and his seven kids, who have helped him develop his campaign.
“I love that my family is so involved and supportive, because I want the Big Island to remember that we’re a community made of a bunch of family units,” Alameda said. “Our campaign is an opportunity to bring the spirit of aloha back to public service, and I hope to earn the support of everyone who wants to see county government start working for all of us again.”
More information about Alameda and his candidacy can be found at kimoformayor.com.
Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
